Even as I scramble to get in a few more 2014 releases before I close the book on this year, I’m looking forward to 2015. Next year promises to be huge for Hollywood, packed as it is with big-name sequels like Star Wars 7 and Avengers 2. But it also looks like a good time for movie lovers, not just movie studios. A lot of those tentpoles look genuinely good. And a lot of riskier ventures look like they’ll pay off. And that’s not even getting into all of the indie gems buried ahead, waiting for us to discover them at Sundance or Toronto or what have you.

Films from the last category were naturally left off my list, as I can’t get excited for a movie I haven’t heard of yet or know nothing about. But for a list of the films (big and small) that I do know about, and am eagerly looking forward to, join me after the jump. Read More »

It may seem premature in September to declare that a film has entered the Oscar race, but in the case of Mommy it’s confirmed fact. Last week, Canada officially selected the family drama as its entry for the Best Foreign-Language Film Academy Award. It’ll be director Xavier Dolan‘s second time angling for the prize; his feature directing debut I Killed My Mother was chosen to represent the country for the 82nd Oscars.

To be sure, Mommy still has several hoops to jump through before it gets that little gold man. But the glowing reactions from its Cannes debut suggest it could actually go the distance. To get an idea of what all the fuss is about, hit the jump to see the Mommy US trailer.

Like any film festival, Cannes has its share of hits, misses, and polarizing oddities that manage to be both hits and misses. But one of the few out-and-out successes this year was Xavier Dolan‘s Mommy. It inspired a flood of glowing reviews, and it charmed festivalgoers all the way to the Cannes jury prize.

Now the first Mommy trailer has arrived to show the rest of the world what’s been missing. Anne Dorval stars as Die, the widowed mom to troubled teen Steve (Antoine-Olivier Pilon). Suzanne Clément plays a mysterious neighbor who helpfully steps in. Watch the video after the jump.